Global Scans · Design · Weekly Summary

WHAT'S NEXT?: Design thinking will increasingly play a key role in improving systems and customer experiences. Companies will re-learn their approach to innovation and embrace human-centred design principles. Designers will begin to apply knowledge of human interaction, specifically in the area of how we earn trust and respect, to AI systems.

• [New] The technical architecture of Android XR showcases several strategic choices that could provide Google with significant competitive advantages in spatial computing. Next Reality
• [New] Volkswagen Group will integrate the SDV architecture in the Western hemisphere into the ID.EVERY 1 and all future electric vehicles built on the Scalable Systems Platform. WebWire
• [New] Many creators agree, with searches for liminal and uncanny aesthetics up 220% year over year, drawing more than 2 million views, and almost a quarter of creators we surveyed saying they predict Reality Warp will be the defining trend of 2026. Newsroom - Latest Canva news announcements, brand guide
• [New] Generative AI will enable the design of more complex molecules faster, while RWE gathered from digital health technologies will streamline clinical trials and help prove product value in real-world settings. Pharmaceutical Technology
• [New] In 2026, the primary drivers will be the advancement of generative AI for de novo drug design and the use of real-world evidence (RWE) in regulatory submissions. Pharmaceutical Technology
• [New] In 2026, responsible business leaders will treat design thinking as a strategic capability - one that enables quick yet ethical judgement and genuine value creation. Warwick Business School
• [New] In 2026, digital identity wallets and verified digital credentials will help people prove who they are more quickly and securely - whether accessing financial services, confirming age or conducting higher-value transactions - while also helping platforms verify who they are dealing with. Financial IT
• [New] The 2026 Nearshoring America Matchmaking Program will link verified factories and service providers from Mexico and Latin America with U.S. brands in gift, home furnishings, lighting, and fashion accessories. DallasMarketCenter_prod
• [New] Laws said that insurers and brokers who help employers design targeted, measurable and flexible benefits packages will be central to workforce strategy in 2026, balancing employee protection with sustainable cost management. Insurance Business
• [New] Instagram now treats raw, imperfect imagery as a proxy for authenticity, though Mosseri predicts AI will soon mimic imperfections, forcing trust to shift from aesthetics to provenance. MarketingProfs
• [New] The teams that excel in 2026 will be the ones that pair modern interaction methods with reliable, well-designed reporting that supports how people make decisions in the real world. International Institute for Analytics
• [New] In 2026, the current traditional vendor-designed, standard AI chat-based user interfaces will transition to dynamically AI-generated task-specific user interfaces that adapt to users' immediate needs. Interface
• [New] By the close of 2026, all EU Member States are expected to have rolled out their European Digital Identity Wallets, compelling companies in key sectors to use them for strong user authentication and fundamentally altering the landscape of digital access and security. Tech Funding News
• [New] The election in Brazil will determine if the world's seventh-largest economy remains a leader of the Global South or pivots back toward a US-integrated trade architecture. Robeco.com - The investment engineers
• [New] Humanoids will keep advancing, though most practical value in 2026 will come from systems designed to do specific jobs extremely well. TechRound
• [New] In 2026, enterprises will design hybrid ecosystems that stretch across hyperscale, private DCs, and the edge - not for cost savings, but for control. DataCenterKnowledge
• [New] In 2026, companies will require experts capable of designing and developing blockchain architectures, creating smart contracts, and integrating decentralized systems into the existing system. https://www.uscsinstitute.org/cybersecurity-insights/bl
• [New] In 2026, effective enforcement will depend on combining AI-enabled monitoring with a judicial framework that protects both creative works and digital identity. / India Asia IP
• [New] The wallet, expected to launch in the second half of 2026, is designed to support tokenized assets ranging from traditional investments to private-company equity. Crypto Briefing
• [New] By 2026, accessibility first UX design will be non-negotiable. Medium

Last updated: 12 January 2026